Post by Aaron Brown on Apr 16, 2015 10:44:08 GMT -5
I wrote a piece on March 17 outlining the Eastern Conference playoff race. At that point, the four teams fighting for the last 2 spots had an average of 16 games left.
Now each team has no more than 5 so time to take a look at where things are at:
Florida:
Then: 9th
Now: 7th
Florida had the least amount of games left of the 4 contenders but have made the most of them. 8-1-0-1 in their last 10, the Panthers have risen to 7th and control their own destiny for a wildcard berth. They only have 4 games left while everyone else has 5 but close out against Columbus.
Bottom line is if they win out, they're in.
Columbus:
Then: 7th
Now: 8th
Columbus has struggled a little going 5-5-0-0 in its last 10 to fall back one spot from Mar 17. They have a fairly average schedule to close out with lottery hopefuls SJ & Cal away, and 2 x St. Louis at home. The final game against Florida looms huge as if both teams take care of business down the stretch, that could be a win and you're in scenario.
One game note. The TSN turning point of this season could have been game 1034 on day 142. Columbus was outshot by rival Ottawa 47-18 but stole two points in the SO. What will loom larger: stealing those two points or still giving up one to Ottawa?
Ottawa
Then: 10th
Now 9th
Ottawa has held their own coming down the stretch with a respectable 6-2-0-2 record. The aforementioned dropped points vs Columbus are huge as it is the difference between being in or going golfing at the moment. Tied for 8th but on the outside looking in because of the ROW tie-breaker, Ottawa needs a little help from some Western teams. Ottawa also has the toughest schedule to close out. But tied for 8th is better than 10th which is where the 2013 champs were on March 17.
Montreal
Then: 8th
Now: 10th
The Habs had the most games left but ran into some serious issues. Riding a 1-8-0-1 slump that included an 8 game losing streak, the Canadiens are in serious trouble. Winning out might not be enough as current 8th seed Columbus holds a decided edge in ROW. Any combination of 4 points either dropped by Montreal or gained by Columbus and Montreal starts planning for the lottery.
Now each team has no more than 5 so time to take a look at where things are at:
Florida:
Then: 9th
Now: 7th
Florida had the least amount of games left of the 4 contenders but have made the most of them. 8-1-0-1 in their last 10, the Panthers have risen to 7th and control their own destiny for a wildcard berth. They only have 4 games left while everyone else has 5 but close out against Columbus.
Bottom line is if they win out, they're in.
Columbus:
Then: 7th
Now: 8th
Columbus has struggled a little going 5-5-0-0 in its last 10 to fall back one spot from Mar 17. They have a fairly average schedule to close out with lottery hopefuls SJ & Cal away, and 2 x St. Louis at home. The final game against Florida looms huge as if both teams take care of business down the stretch, that could be a win and you're in scenario.
One game note. The TSN turning point of this season could have been game 1034 on day 142. Columbus was outshot by rival Ottawa 47-18 but stole two points in the SO. What will loom larger: stealing those two points or still giving up one to Ottawa?
Ottawa
Then: 10th
Now 9th
Ottawa has held their own coming down the stretch with a respectable 6-2-0-2 record. The aforementioned dropped points vs Columbus are huge as it is the difference between being in or going golfing at the moment. Tied for 8th but on the outside looking in because of the ROW tie-breaker, Ottawa needs a little help from some Western teams. Ottawa also has the toughest schedule to close out. But tied for 8th is better than 10th which is where the 2013 champs were on March 17.
Montreal
Then: 8th
Now: 10th
The Habs had the most games left but ran into some serious issues. Riding a 1-8-0-1 slump that included an 8 game losing streak, the Canadiens are in serious trouble. Winning out might not be enough as current 8th seed Columbus holds a decided edge in ROW. Any combination of 4 points either dropped by Montreal or gained by Columbus and Montreal starts planning for the lottery.
